Endometrial cancer affects 36,000 women a year and causes 6,500 deaths. For women with recurrent or advanced endometrial cancer, treatment options are limited, but tumors that test positive for the presence of estrogen and progesterone receptors (ER and PR) may respond to hormonal therapy.

M. D. Anderson has launched the first clinical trial in the United States to study the use of Mifepristone in women with endometrial cancer. Mifepristone (more commonly known as RU-486) blocks the action of progesterone in the endometrium (uterine lining) by binding the progesterone receptor. Researchers think the drug may slow or stop tumor growth, and possibly help women with ER/PR positive tumors that have not responded to standard cancer treatment.

For details on the Mifepristone trial, check the eligibility requirements. You can also contact Jacalyn Gano, R.N., at (713) 794-1422 or e-mail her at jgano@mdanderson.org.